Clearlake Police arrest 13 in PRCS sweep

CLEARLAKE -- City police arrested more than a dozen people on various charges and recovered stolen property during a multi-agency special enforcement operation Friday, a department spokesman announced.

The operation, which also involved officers from Lakeport Police and the Lake County Probation Department, focused on people on post-release community supervision (PRCS) parole or probation, Clearlake Police Lt. Tim Celli stated.

Officers went to four locations in the city, using a list of people on PRCS to select the areas, Celli stated.

In total, officers made 13 arrests for alleged drug offenses, outstanding warrants, probation violations and other charges, and they reportedly seized various stolen items, including guns and an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) from Napa County.

Grant funding from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) made the operation possible, Celli stated.

The two police departments plan to work in cooperation with the probation department to conduct similar activities in the next several months to make sure those on PRCS are complying with the terms of their release, the lieutenant added.

The arrests Friday included Justin Cordero, 28, who was booked into the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility for alleged PRCS probation violations.

Officials will seek additional charges against Cordero, including counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of a short-barrel rifle, burglary and possession of stolen property, Celli stated.

Fredrick Askew, 40, was arrested on charges of probation violation, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a stolen ATV.

Joseph Carson, 30, was arrested for allegedly possessing a controlled substance and having a parole violation warrant. Celli alleged numerous items of possible stolen property were found and recovered in Carson's vehicle.

Vivian Meranda, 50, was arrested on charges of possessing a controlled substance for sale and being under the influence of drugs. Officers seized $3,600 in cash, believed to be proceeds from narcotic sales, from Meranda pending civil judicial asset forfeiture proceedings, Celli stated.

Nicole Gonzales, 27, was arrested for allegedly possessing a controlled substance and being under the influence of drugs.

William Wisterman, 36, was arrested on charges of possessing a controlled substance, having drug paraphernalia and violating his probation.

Jon Kelsay, 52, was arrested on charges of drug possession and probation violation.

Ralph Broad, 48, Devin Walker, 21, and Sean Foss, 19, were arrested and booked into the county jail for allegedly having outstanding warrants. Celli alleged Broad tried to give officers a false name.

Georgia Walker, 24, and Mary Wisterman, 38, were arrested and later cited for allegedly being under the influence of a controlled substance. Kristein Feliciano, 27, was arrested and later cited for allegedly possessing drug paraphernalia.